Two arrested after MVR 29 million worth of hashish oil seized from Male' harbour

Two men have been arrested in connection with an attempt to smuggle hashish oil into the Maldives by sea.

Customs seized 36.4 kilograms of hashish oil from the Male' Commercial Harbour on Thursday. The seized drugs have an estimated street value of more than MVR 29 million.

Police confirmed on Sunday that two suspects were arrested following the seizure. They are Visham Mohamed, 35, of Male', and Hassan Mafaz, 26, of M. Muli.

According to police, the arrests were made during an operation launched after Customs handed over the drugs, which had been concealed inside imported goods. Both suspects were taken before the court and remanded in custody for 15 days.

Police said the case remains under investigation.

Authorities note that drug smuggling attempts by sea continue to rise, while attempts to bring drugs in by air also remain common. Customs has intercepted multiple such shipments in recent months.

On December 3 last year, the Supreme Court unanimously approved the death penalty for drug traffickers. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the amendment three days later.

Under the revised law, beginning in March, importing more than 500 grams of drugs listed under Schedule One of the Act will be punishable by death. Schedule One includes prohibited drugs and their derivatives.